Three on the Tree !

[kcfirstbuild]

So i have a three on the tree and im looking at taking the whole steering column out so i can send out the cab to get welded up and primed. I have no idea where to start on getting that thing out. I have the rag joint unbolted and thats where i stand.
Will it come out from inside the cab or out from the fire wall ? If anyone has any detail instruction i would very much appreciate it.


Side question power steering pump brackets did they come black or where they orange like the other brackets.

[mrein3]

Take off the steering wheel. Take off the linkage to the transmission. Remove the plate attached to the bottom of the dash board below the column. Unplug the electrical. Remove the metal strap holding up the column. Slide it up and out the door of the cab.

I think I remembered it all.

[BADPURPLE70CHEVY]

Originally Posted by mrein3

Take off the steering wheel. Take off the linkage to the transmission. Remove the plate attached to the bottom of the dash board below the column. Unplug the electrical. Remove the metal strap holding up the column. Slide it up and out the door of the cab.

I think I remembered it all.

My truck started a 3 on the tree and i went through this. It is very easy once you unhook everything that is listed. Theres more room there than you think to pull it through.

[kcfirstbuild]

will the whole thing slide out from the inside of the cab? it looks really long ?

[Beelzeburb]

I just did this same operation on my Blazer a couple of weeks ago. The shaft with the rag joint is a collapsible unit meant to take impact force in a crash. That whole collapsible intermediate shaft can be detached from the steering column. Where it enters the steering column there is a rubber seal held on by a simple circular clip. Remove that clip and the two will separate with a little jiggling and pulling.

[kcfirstbuild]

I have to use a steering wheel puller to remove the steering wheel correct ? I loosened to nut under the horn cap and i noticed under the nut there is a splined shaft.

[mrein3]

Originally Posted by kcfirstbuild

I have to use a steering wheel puller to remove the steering wheel correct ? I loosened to nut under the horn cap and i noticed under the nut there is a splined shaft.

Correct.

[kcfirstbuild]

Ok will pick one up! and try my luck.

[BADPURPLE70CHEVY]

Originally Posted by kcfirstbuild

Ok will pick one up! and try my luck.

2 Things to remember. Get a decent puller that you can reuse over and over. Some cheap ones are poorly made. When you thread the bolts in the steering column to pull the wheel thread them in far enough to make sure they don't pull loose. Good luck

[mrein3]

Good old Red Wing and three on the tree. About 10 years ago my truck still had its three speed manual on the tree. I was down in Red Wing with my boat practicing for a bass tournament on the river. I decided to drive home through Wisconsin to see if it was any faster or less stressful than going through Stillwater. On the way home, just as I crested the top of the bridge from Red Wing over to Wisconsin I pushed in the clutch to shift to third and heard a BANG! I sheared off one of the ball studs that held the Z-bar up. A couple hours later my truck was in a local shop and I was headed home with my boat after my wife came down and fetched me.

Other than that day I always liked Red Wing but don't get down there much any more since I quit chasing bass around. Nice town.

[kcfirstbuild]

It went pretty easy, found where all the bolt were hiding and out came the steering column. No problem at all. I while i was there i fixed the turn signal cam. Since it was broke in two.